Boston Weighs In On Scotland's Independence Vote
BOSTON (CBS) - The Scottish people are set to take a historic vote for independence Thursday and polling shows it's a dead heat.
For 307 years, Scotland has been part of the United Kingdom with England, Wales and Northern Ireland. And the contentious debate over the possibility of Scottish independence extends across the Atlantic Ocean and into Boston.
"I think they're better staying with us," said Julie Foulger, who is from England. "I think we're stronger together."
Foulger and other UK residents on the Queen Mary 2, docked in Boston on Wednesday, said they were opposed to independence for Scotland.
"I think it's stupid actually, breaking up a tiny, little island," said David Elliot, who is also British.
It's a different story in Jamaica Plain at The Haven, which calls itself the only Scottish restaurant in Boston. The tavern will stream BBC Scotland all day Thursday to follow the vote and is even holding its own election.
"I would vote yes," said Scotland native Andy Sweeney. "Scotland by nature is a liberal country and it's been dragged to the right by London."
Jason Waddleton is also from Scotland.
"It's a fascinating time for Scotland, there's no doubt," he said. "Scotland obviously has a rich culture and people just want to have their say."
The campaigning has been fierce, with Scots being pulled and persuaded by both sides.
"This is an example of a country which has been progressing on a road to full self-government for a hundred years," said Alex Salmond, a pro-independence campaign leader.
But UK Prime Minister David Cameron said a "Yes" vote "would be like painstakingly building a home and walking out the door and throwing away the keys."
If Scots vote for independence, the United States could be affected by the closure of a military base because an independent Scotland would likely ban nuclear weapons.
A victory for the "Yes" side would not automatically result in independence. Conditions will be up for negotiation with London, which could take as long as two years.
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